Posted by Eyes_N_Skies on May 31, 2008 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW! WOW! WOW!

I see a mug shot of Rusty in his future plastered all over the news. Can we like put him in a firetruck, take him to the stat line, and tell him never to come back to South Carolina??????????????

You suck Rusty Thomas. You suck real bad!!!!!!

I am gladddddddddddddddd the Post and Carlos has the balls to stand up to these thugs like Thomas and Riley!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by tellthetruth on May 31, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did anyone watch Rustys' cameo performances in Richard Davis, "Flip This House" series. He was shown boozing it up and stating if he and Richard can't get it done in Charleston, it can't be done! Then he drives off in his City vehicle drunk. Everyone knows this clown flexes his muscle while chairing the James Island Charter High School Board. I hope he takes better care of these children than he did his fireman. Someone should look at all the favors he's done for his drinking buddies degenerate kids while chairing this board. Good ridden Rusty and all are waiting for your dismissal from JICHS board for incompetence.

Posted by Paoa on May 31, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone with any knowledge of Rusty Thomas knows that these transfers are retaliation and city council needs to take a hard look at them and these recent promotions as well. I think of Thomas and I think of two words - INCOMPETENCE and VANITY.

Posted by ThePhink on May 31, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Be careful who's toes you step on today. They may be connected to the a $$ you have to kiss tomorrow.

Should have thought about that while you were on the tv, on the boards and in the paper.

Posted by JH09915 on May 31, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Everything comes with a price tag..
Think next time before you are so damn eager to get your mug in front of a tv camera..
What in the hell ever happened to common sense in this world??

Posted by eatmorecollards on May 31, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can remember back when the CFD was as well respected as any, Baltimore, Cincinatti or New York City. Back before air pacs, when there really was a technique to eating smoke. Back when the truck company was recognized nationally for salvage and overhaul. What ever happened? Thinking back I remember two CFD proverbs. Every dog has its day. God don't like ugly.

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time!

Posted by right2work on May 31, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like the promotions were on the up and up(panel interviews, NCFD chief on the panel). Transfers are going to happen when promotions are made to fill in the missing spots. Sorry guys nothing to see here. Move along.

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"members accounted for at least half of the front-line firefighters who were shuffled around with no change in rank"~~

I don't get it, just because someone re-structures and moves employeess to other jobs they are suppose to automatically receive a change in rank status?

The CCSD moves principals, teachers, and they don't always get a change in rank status do they?

State police receive re-locations without a rank status~

Military folks are to use the term "shuffled" around and don't receive rank status changes?

So please enlighten me, reorganization is needed in the CFD, it's done, and employeee's are entitled to an automatic change in rank for being placed in another position/location?

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Many of those being moved must not only change stations but shifts as well, requiring them to rearrange their lives around new work schedules.

Be thankful you have a job and with a department who is bringing in new leadership and changes for you all!!

Besides, won't the new guy come in and reorganize?

Will you complain when the new guy makes changes too or is this one last ditch effort to blast the current chief?

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"the last thing they need is to be uprooted from their stations and pulled away from their closest colleagues"

It's NOT about having close collegaues, it's about staffing fire stations with the correct people to get the job done and keeping the public's best interest and safety as the number 1 priority isn't it?

You will still have your close collegues~ just be sure the stations have the right firefighters in place to get the job done and sometimes that means reorganization folks!

Posted by teeitup on May 31, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a bunch of whinning crybabies. The monkeys want to run the zoo. You should leave the intelligent decisions for your superiors.

Posted by JC on May 31, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought they were well within their rights to do this, especially since it was something that was started months ago. But I do have to admit, 50 positions does seem excessive and I do have to wonder about that.

Posted by firefightersforthetruth on May 31, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Joe Riley and Rusty Thomas both went on TV back in Oct. and said it was a new day in the CFD, the men now have a voice. "WE have an open door policy any one can come to Chief Thomas and myself and speak up with out fear of retribution". Well Joe those words are now in front of you, is this how you show people you are an honorable man? IF these words are true, then you have some work to do to convince these men you did not lie to them.

Actions always speak more than words! Rusty you need help!
Joe we all know there is no hope for you! We can never bring 9 men back. Why punish more living firefighters by breaking them up now, when they need each other the most. These men have been clinging to each other for support for the last year, because they were lead by a man who does not care about anything but his own pride!

Many things happen in the life that we can not change, THIS WE CAN CHANGE! THIS IS A GREAT INJUSTICE!

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

IT's a new day for CFD~many wanted changes and you are getting what you wanted~ changes!!

You may not like the changes~ but the changes that were demanded are being done~~

It's been a year, it's time to heal, move on, make the changes all screamed for, and do what is needed to make CFD a #1 operation, even if it means making some shuffles!!

Posted by JH09915 on May 31, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For all of the whiners, either you want to be a Charleston Firefighter or you don't, it is your choice..
Charleston has a long tradition with a great fire department and is moving ahead with new direction.
It is so very unfortunate and sad that 9 people lost their lives doing the job that they loved and understood.
It is time to move forward.. A time to heal..
How long must we drag this thing out??

Posted by bootlicked on May 31, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This "thing" is being dragged out because the CFD has been lead by incompetence for the last 16 years and noone has given a damn. This "thing" just happened to have come about because of several of my friends and many firefifghters loosing their lives needlessly. The CFD today , almost one year after the tragedy, is still being lead by incompetence with Riley's backing. The moving forward and healing will only start when the CFD gets what they deserve. Which so happens to be leadership and fair promotions. Most but not all of the upper management on the CFD are idiots and spinless followers.If you are so tired of hearing about it I only hope that you can go through this same pain and know why it happened and no one really gives a damn. I tell you what please go to the memorial on June 18th and tell the firemen and their families to just get over it and stop whining. I hope Riley doesn't give praise to RT's sorry butt again. I hope RT doesn't even show up like his dad hasn't. Your dad is smart enough to know when he isn't liked. To hell with Riley and the Thomases. Oh and I hope the fire men got two sets of gear.

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In many eyes~ the current chief is already the bad guy~ maybe the changes needed to be made and so let the one many don't respect be the hatchet man, make the changes, and the new guy comes in with a cleaned up act to work with vs. he having to make the moves and end up being the bad guy~ make sense~

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And if the employees are not happy with the transfers can they not go to the Human Resource/Personnel dept. to follow policy and seek assistance with the matter?

Really, no one here is in a position to deal with these personnel issues~~

Posted by eatmorecollards on May 31, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SCgal,the answer to your question is yes, there will be complaints when the new guy come in. The question will be,why is it so?

Posted by geekguy2008 on May 31, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There seems to be NO legitimate reason to shuffle people around different shifts. Unless 1. Someone REQUESTS to be xfered or 2. A Cpt has retired/died/moved and someone is either promoted and xfered there, or a Cpt from another station is xfered. To randomly xfer around a bunch of firemen (at a time like this) makes it PLAIN to see that this WAS done in retaliation. No rocket science here.

But the Fire Department issued a written statement reiterating that the transfers "were done with no retaliation or alternative reasons."

. ....and it was a weather balloon that crashed in Roswell, NM, too.

Posted by SCgal on May 31, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There seems to be NO legitimate reason to shuffle people around different shifts.

Sure there is~ based on abilites, job performance, skills, umber of years, training, background, physical abilites, you always want an even balance on any team to produce the best overall results~~

Posted by bootlicked on May 31, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SCgal I'm just glad to see that you are so insightful into the inner-workings of the CFD. How can you take up for something you know nothing about. The only ones taking up for Riley and rt have been people that don't have a clue about running a fire dept. Even most of them have changed their minds by now. Give the men of the CFD a break. Give them your support they are the ones who really need it now. The actions of the command staff don't add up. Not all are bad but a whole lot are.Remember the nine and those that are left.

Posted by Eyes_N_Skies on May 31, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Toss da KING in da Dungeon!!!!!!

Posted by CaptPete on June 1, 2008 at 2:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To see the look on the trouble makers faces. PRICESLESS.

Posted by bootlicked on June 1, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Capt Pete you must be Gardner's sidekick. Another social promotion. Suckup to the end. Well the end is near. Priceless!

Posted by cfdfamily on June 1, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If anyone had listened to the troublemakers before they were forced to this whole tragedy could have been prevented. But no.. the CFD preferred to punish the FF demanding a better department until the FF just quit talking about it until 6/18.
Capt Pete-keep denigrating the memory of the nine and showing a total lack of support for the FF, hope it makes you feel like a man.

Posted by SCgal on June 1, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All I have heard is how inadequate the leadership, equipment, training, etc is for the CFD~ when a new chief comes in and if the dept. is so inadequate then hope the new one hired is the best~

but do be prepared for changes~ as you all yourself have said over and over how inadequate many areas are and have been and it will take major changes to turn it around~ don't be complaining with the new changes either & be more accepting of what the new chief has in store to implement the much needed improvements~~

Posted by JH09915 on June 1, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me make a prediction.
The new chief, whoever that may happen to be will not be on the job any longer than a month and we will begin to see that he has some strange ideas, he or she lacks leadership, knows very little about running a fire departmment, etc.. you watch, it is going to happen..
Welcome to Charleston, we know it all..

Posted by preachlove on June 1, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If this was not retaliation, why were the Glover brothers transferred? Like someone said, no rocket science here. Why not wait until a new chief comes in, takes a look at the department, and then shake things up. Chief Thomas, going out, and with all the incompetency he has shown, did this purely and simply out of hateful and spiteful retaliation. That's why he is no longer chief! Riley knew he had to go!

Posted by CaptPete on June 2, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Boolicked:

I hope your new shift does not interupt anything for you. I guess when the full page ad was being prepared some folks forgot who their boss was.

Posted by CalifFireCapt on June 5, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Teeitupwants to leave the "intelligent decisions" to the superiors....well....we've seen how well that worked. Thank God the Charleston fire fighters have the IAFF and the Charleston Fire Fighters Union behind them forcing the issue and helping CFD get into the 21st Century and onto the right track. After this has all settled out, the Charleston Fire Fighters Union will have proven its worth to the members of CFD and the Union should have 100% membership...I'm not naive enough to believe this will happen, as there will always be those not wise enough to see who is REALLY looking out for their safety and well being.
It's a hell of a note when the people running the Union are more intelligent, more astute, and more politically aware than those who are supposed to be running the Fire Department. Harpo is correct...you have the power...USE IT!!!
And for what it's worth, take it from an old hand....when you get your new Chief, negotiate a seniority bidding system to solve the arbitrary transfers. When we put our system into place, the Chief was deathly afraid of it, so we gave him the ability to cancel the whole deal during the first 12 months if he could show it was having a negative impact to the organization. The new system made things run so much more smoothly, that he forgot about the whole deal after the first 6 months.
I sincerely hope this is the dawning of a new age for CFD!!

Posted by MAXFIRE26 on June 12, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To all my union brothers at CFD - hang in there, things will get better. To all my brothers at CFD that are not in the union - join!!! We can only get stronger and better representation when everyone is involved, and, like the California Capt. said, the IAFF will work for you. Legislation will soon make South Carolina a collective bargaining state and if you guys are organized together before that happens you will be that much stronger! Good Luck and I am speaking on behalf of all Ohio Firefighters when I say we have not forgotten the Charleston 9.

Posted by KR4WM on June 13, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Transfers are an unfortunate part of fire department life in some departments. I retired from another South Carolina fire department in 2003. It was standard practice that firefighters got station transfers every year, and engineers and officers every two years. Whenever promotions took place, inevitably shift swaps would occur, making the transfer doubly miserable. But it was not done without reason. It is important for all firefighters to be familiar with all geographic areas in their department's coverage area, as well as be able to train with others with whom they may not normally have contact with. Sometimes you have to match up crews of varying experience to make the department better as a whole. It also allows crew members to learn the layout of other apparatus. 50 transfers does seem like an inordinately large number to occur at one time, but this is not without precedent. Given a choice, most firefighters would like to stay on one shift and at one station. Also, some stations are much busier than others, and it's good to move someone from a busy station to a "vacation station" sometimes to give them a break from being so busy. Transfers don't always make firefighters happy, and it sometimes seems like they're done for retaliatory reasons, but this is not always the case. I feel the pain of these firefighters, and hope all the changing around was done for a valid reason. A brother in local #2345, Myrtle Beach.